RALEIGH — Nineteen points is the most North Carolina State has scored in an Atlantic Coast Conference game this season, but it still wasn’t enough to beat in-state rival North Carolina on Saturday afternoon in Carter-Finley Stadium.

The Wolfpack fell 27-19, managing only one touchdown, which was set up by a Juston Burris interception on the second play of the game.

While starting quarterback Brandon Mitchell became the first Wolfpack quarterback to rush for 100-plus yards in a game since Johnny Evans did it twice in 1976, Wolfpack coach Dave Doeren pulled Mitchell in favor of backup Pete Thomas due to lack of effectiveness through the air.

“I threw two interceptions that cost us the game,” Mitchell said. “I’d have pulled myself, too.”

Mitchell’s day consisted of completing 10 of 22 passes for 130 yards while leading the N.C. State running attack with 115 yards on 21 carries. He ran for the touchdown on the Wolfpack’s first drive just 2:13 into the game, but failed to do much of anything else afterward.

Mitchell’s final stat line was aided by a 33-yard completion on the final play of the game to Quintin Payton. Doeren put Mitchell back in for the Hail Mary attempt because of his arm strength.

“He was forcing balls into coverage that I told him he couldn’t throw,” Doeren said. “I said, ‘If it’s not there, throw it away’ and he didn’t, so I took him out.”

Thomas completed 4 of 7 passes for 46 yards in relief of Mitchell. He had one full drive in which he led the Wolfpack to midfield before turning the ball back to the Tar Heels on downs.

Doeren said he and his staff would decide throughout the next week who’ll start under center next Saturday at Duke.

“We’ll talk about it as a staff. I’m emotional right now,” Doeren said. “I’ll watch the tape and we’ll sit down as coaches and make the best decision for our football team.”

Aside from the initial touchdown drive, N.C. State (3-5 overall, 0-5 ACC) drove deep into North Carolina territory three more times in the first half before stalling. Kicker Niklas Sade hit field goals on each of those drives, but Doeren and Mitchell know they needed more.

“We have to quit getting in the red zone and kicking field goals,” Doeren said. “We have to get some touchdowns down there.”

Mitchell said: “We had chances and we had four field goals. That could’ve been 28 points right there. We just have to put the ball in the end zone when we have the chance to put the ball into the end zone and stop getting so many field goals when we get down there.”

Page 2 of 2 - On numerous occasions, Mitchell had receivers open, but mistakes got the North Carolina defense off the field and brought Sade on.

In the third quarter, Mitchell overthrew a wide-open Tyler Purvis on the left sideline that would’ve put the Wolfpack deep in the North Carolina red zone, if not put six points on the board. Instead, the Wolfpack punted from the North Carolina 40-yard line.

“The plays were there. I missed Purvis on a wide-open touchdown on the sideline,” Mitchell said. “We just have to make plays and not shoot ourselves in the foot.”

Sade hit all four field goals he attempted. They came from 20, 38, 44 and 20 yards.

“If we just quit throwing the ball into coverage, we’ll be in games,” Doeren said. “We’ve thrown way too many interceptions this year. We’re running the ball effectively. We ran for 212 yards and lost. That’s hard to do. But the only way you do that is to turn it over.”

When the Wolfpack takes the field against Duke, Mitchell said N.C. State must convert when the opportunity is given or face a similar result.

“When the plays are out there, you have to make them and can’t turn the football over like I did,” he said. “Just have to get back to the basics and work with what the defense gives us.”